Monday, November 9, 2009

Connecticut Governor Calls for Marijuana Legalization?

UPDATE: So, it turns out that these "budget suggestions" aren't actually from the governor, but are from state employees participating in the governor's Innovative Ideas Initiative (I3). Click here for more information. Really, it would have been helpful if the state put a notation on each page of "budget suggestions" laying this out instead of just showing a big picture of the governor's face and letting everyone think they were her ideas. We apologize for any confusion.

Governor Jodi Rell, Republican of Connecticut, who previously vetoed a medical marijuana bill, is now calling for legalization marijuana outright!

Either that, or her website has been hacked. Hrmmm:

January 9, 2009: Decriminalize marijuana – allow for medicinal purposes and collect taxes on it purchase. Create a tax stamp for these packages – anyone caught with a bag of marijuana without the stamp should face harsher penalties than someone caught with a bag with a stamp.

February 3, 2009: Legalize marijuana and have the Department of Agriculture grow it for sale in 1 ounce bags -- sell it over the Internet.

March 2, 2009: Increase revenue by legalizing marijuana and administering its sale and tax to be sold in pharmacies as well as in liquor stores. Apply law enforcement standards currently used for alcohol. This would save money in not having to chase drug dealers and generate huge revenues.

We just found out about these postings today, despite the dates. No one we've talked with in drug policy reform seems to know anything about when or how this was uploaded to the governor's site, so please let us know if you have any information in the comments section.